Risk factors for thromboembolic complications in IBD

Results in February's issues of Digestive Disease and Sciences showed that factor V Leiden is significantly associated with a history of venous thrombosis.

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Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with an increased risk for thromboembolic events.

Dr Oldenburg and colleagues of the Netherlands aimed to examine the relationship of hyperhomocysteinemia and thrombosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

In addition, the research team assessed the role of this factor in addition to other known prothrombotic abnormalities.

The researchers studied patients with inflammatory bowel disease with a history of thrombosis (n = 22).

They paired each participant with sex-, age-, and diagnosis-matched controls with inflammatory bowel disease(n = 23) were studied.

The investigators assessed homocysteine before and after methionine loading.

The team determined plasma levels of protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, and fibrinogen and the presence of anticardiolipin and antiphospholipid antibodies.

The research team performed genetic testing for factor V Leiden and the prothrombin gene mutation.

Homocysteine levels after methionine loading was higher in patients with IBD with arterial thrombosis than controls

Digestive Diseases and Sciences

The researchers showed that fasting homocysteine levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease with a history of arterial or venous thrombosis tended to be higher than in controls, although not significantly.

The investigators also showed that the increase in homocysteine levels after methionine loading was significantly higher in patients with inflammatory bowel disease with arterial thrombosis than in the control group.

The researchers found that among the other prothrombotic factors, only factor V Leiden was significantly associated with a history of venous thrombosis.

The research team discovered at least 1 risk factor in 64% of the patients with inflammatory bowel disease with previous thromboembolic complications.

The team also found an association between hyperhomocysteinemia and a history of arterial thrombosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

The investigative team noted a high prevalence of factor V Leiden in IBD patients with a history of venous thrombosis.